_abcd_'s blog

Why problem statements are so long?
By _abcd_, history, 6 years ago, In English

In mathematics I am used to read and understand the problem in 70-90 seconds,but in programming i have to spend 4-5 minutes reading the stupid story(Because it does not relate to any application of software engineering), especially UVA and Hackrrank problem statements. Can't they be simple like maths statement?

Mathematical notations are not that hard to get used to.For someone it may be interesting, for me this is annoying.Sometimes after reading a long problem i just found that this a simple problem.

Life will be lot easier for people like us who don't want to read some stupid story , if problems statement are clear and short.

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6 years ago, # |
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  1. A problem setter often wants to use their own hero and that makes the statement longer. If you forbid that, the process will be worse (less cool) for setters and fewer will want to make a round.
  2. Math statements are simply less complicated and thus shorter in any version.
  3. Statements with story sometimes allow avoiding definitions like "permutation" or "path".
  4. I guess you should learn to read faster. 4-5 minutes is really long.
  5. Not all stories are stupid. Some are an integral part of the problem, i.e. they are the best possible explanation of what is supposed to be computed.
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    6 years ago, # ^ |
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    Any plans for a Limak contest in 2019? I miss that bear.

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      6 years ago, # ^ |
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      I invented almost 20 problems for Algorithmic Engagements recently. I'm out of ideas for some time.

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